Senator Saraki meets Bill Gates, Aliko Dangote over health financing
The President of the Senate Dr. Bukola Saraki, on Thursday, met with Microsoft Founder, Bill Gates and African Business Mogul, Alh. Aliko Dangote to proffer solutions to financing healthcare in Nigeria.
Saraki who was accompanied by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara, had the breakfast with the business magnates and philanthropists at the Transcorp Hilton in Abuja.
Top on the agenda of the meeting were: Polio eradication, sustainable health financing and primary health care strengthening.
Our correspondent reports that the meeting was also attended by other federal law makers, the Nigerian Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole and other inter nation NGOs and Foundations.
The meeting aims to strategize on how to; āProvide legislative leaders with a good understanding of the Gates Foundationās engagement in Nigeria, and work with the Dangote Foundation.
āDiscuss ways to ensure continued polio commitment.
Share information on long-term vaccine financing challenges.
Speaking at the meeting, the American business magnate, Gates, commended Saraki for his efforts in the healthcare systems in Nigeria especially in the fight against polio.
Gates particularly hailed the Senateās President for his role in 2009 as Chairman of the Nigeria Governorsā Forum (NGF) saying that his intervention then was a āturning Pointā in the fight against polio in Nigeria.
Some of the talking points of the meeting include: āRecognition of the important role that Nigerian legislators play in improving health care delivery in Nigeria through appropriate legislation and accountability.
Updates on polio in Nigeria and discussion of ways to ensure continued effort and appropriate resourcing.ā
āGates and Dangote Foundation investments in immunization, and challenges Nigeria may face in long-term financing, including transition from Gavi.